Flying-machine.



R. M, METGALF FLYING magma APPLICATION FILED OOT.14, 1909.

Patented Feb. 3, 1914;

6 SHEETS-45mm 1.

v IIVI EA IOfi .lPaf v/z i/fefm/f WITNESSES Hp? wCLA/M ATTORNEYS R. M. METCALP.

FLYING momma; APPLIOATIOE' FILED 001114, 1909.

Patented Feb. 3, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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WITNESSES ATTORNEYS R. M. METGALF.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIUATIOH FILED 0OT.14, 1909.

Patented Feb. 3,. 1914.

wnuzssss 42 wdm ATTORNEYS R. M. METCALF.

FLYING MAGHINF.

APPLICATION nun 00114, 1909.

WITNESSES ATTORNEYS RALPH MASON METCALF, 0F DRISCQLL, NORTH DAKOTA.

FLYING-.111 ACHINE.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 3, 1914.

Application filed'october 14, 1909. serial no. 52'2525.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RALPH M. Mn'roaLr, a citizen of the United States. and a resident of Driscoll, in the county of Burleigh and State of North Dakota, have invented a new and Improved Flying-Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description.

This invention relates to flying machine of that type known as self-propelled aeroplanes; and an object of the invention is to provide a device which will be simple in constructitm, of light weight and great strength, which will run at a high speed in a stead v manner, and which will be capable oi easy control.

A further object of this invention is to provide a flying machine of the aeroplane type with means for automatically balancing itself during its flight in the air.

A further object of this invention is to 'provide means for-supporting a flying machine on a body of water, and with means for balancing the machine on said body of water.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a flying machine with means for propelling it through the water and raising it from the water by the action of said means against the water.

These and further objects, together with the construction and combination of parts,

will be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. in which similar characters of'reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 22 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3'3 of Fig. 2; Fig. at is a vertical end view of one of the combined propeller wheels; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view with parts broken away to show the underl ving,structure. and showing in full and dotted lines the different positions of the side supporting planes; Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section on the line t36 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the separate parts of the device. 7 indicates the body of a flying machine. which is preferably in the form of a boat, having an ornamental figure-head at the front thereof. The boat of water, but is. also provided with a plurality of wheels 8, pivotally secured in any well known manner to the sides of the boat and arranged to form -a rolling supportfor the flying machine on land. These wheels 8 are also provided with a plurality of paddles 9, extending in a tangential line from the hub to the rim of the wheel. and formingan eflicient means for propelling the boatand the flying machine, as a whole, through the water, and also for lifting the boat and flying machine from the water.

In order to balance the boat 'and flying machine, as a Whole, on a. body' of water, there are provided floats 10, which are of any form suitable to float on the water, such as light air-tight tanks, and are secured,

to the outer ends of supporting planes 11', which extenddownwardly from each side of the body 7, and are secured thereto in any well known manner.

Secured to the body 7 in any well known manner, and extending upwardly therefrom in diverging lines, t ere are provided a plurality of uprights 11, which are connected across the top by means of transverse rods 12 and longitudinal rods 13. These uprights and rods form the main support ing frame for the flying machine. Extending from the transverse rods 12 downwardly to the floats 10 andsecured thereto in any,

well known manner, there are provided ver tical rods 14, which form additional means for supporting the planes 11 and the floats 10. The rods 14 are suitably connected to the uprights 11 by means of transverse rods 15 and 16, and are also connected to each other by means of longitudinal rods 57. Supported on the rods 15 intermediate the rods 14, there are provided a pair of planes 17, which on tend at an angleto each other and meet at about the center of the flying machine. At the meeting point of these planes 17, there is provided an opening 18, which serves as a vent for the surplus air beneath the aeroplane, tending to form an .upward current of air, balancing the machine while in flight and supplying a partof the air displaced by mechanism above.

Extending inwardly from each side pf the upright rods 14 and considerably above the planes 17, there are provided a pair of planes. 19, which extend in horizontal planes for a short distance and then curve downwardly and inwardly to form arcs of perfect circles, and then coincide and extend still farther down to meet the apex of the juncpreceding propeller by due.

tion of the planes 17. These planes form suitable cavities in which propellers, which will now be described, will rotate.

At the point where the uprights l1 intersect the cross bars 16, there are provided journal bearings for apair of shafts 20, to which are connected a series off-propellers 21, 22 and 28. These propellers are so formed that the rst propeller has two blades; the second, three; and the third, four. If more'propellers are needed, the next one would contain five blades, and so on down through the series, the hlagdes on eachpropeller exceeding the number on each The alternate propellers on each of the shafts 20 are arranged to rotate in reverse directions. The

propellers 21 and 23 are secured tothe shafts 20 and rotate therewith. The propellersQz), on the other hand, are secured to sleevesil l,

, which are loosely mounted to rotate on the ,chine, and with a 53 at the rear of the machine.

shafts 20. These sleeves 24 each have a sprocket wheel 25, which is driven through a sprocket chain 26 by means of a sprocket 27 on a shaft 28, which rotates in a direct-ion opposite to that of the s afts 20. The shafts 20 have sprocketsfiil secured thereon, which are driven through sprocket chains 30 and 31 by sprockets 32 and 33 on a sleeve 34, which is loosely mounted on the shaft 28. The sleeve 84has another sprocket 3 5 thereon, whichis driven through a chain 3t;

by a sprocket 37. The sprocket 37 is d iven' through gears 39 by a motor so. The motor 40 also drives a sprocket 41, which drives the shaft 28 through a chain 42 and asprocket,

43., The shaft- 28 extends to the rear of the machine, where it is providedwith another propeller 44, which rotates in-a direction opposite to'a propellerdi which is socured on a sleeve 4:6 arranged concentric with the shaft 28 and adjacent to the propeller 44. The-sleeve 46 has -a sprocket wheel 47 thereon, which is driven through a chain-48 by a sprocket d9, which is in turn driven by the motor 40.

The shaft on which the sprocket wheel 37 is secured extends through its bearing, and is provided with a plurality of worms or any other suitable 'gears 50, which mesh with worm wheels 51 secured to the shafts of the propelling wheels 8. These worms may be so arranged that they can slide into and out of engagement with the worm wheels 51, so as to be ahle to drive the propelling wheels 8 will.

The longitudinal rods 13 extend beyond the front and rear of thaframe, and are pro vided with a plurality of-transverse supporting planes 52 atthe front of the masingle transverse plane There is also provided a movable plane 54;, pivotally cenup along the sides of tin-safes nected'to a transverse rod 55, which is secured to the longitudinal rods 13 and extends between them This plane is capable of pivotal motion, so as to control thecquilihrium of the dying machine, and has se cured thereto in any well known manner, a flexible connection 56, whereby it may be tilted down and held down against the force of the air through which it is rushing. The force of the air, while the machine is, travel ing forward will raise this plane when the pull on the deaihle connection 56 isvreleased. The longitudinal rods 57 extend beyond the front and rear of the planes 17', and have supported thereon additional supporting, planes 58 and 59.

In order to form additional supporting surfaces for the flying machine which may be thrown into and out of play manually, th re are provided side planes for my (lo-i vice. Pivotally secured to the upright rods 14 in any well known manner, there are provided a plurality of rods 60 and 61, which extend outwa main frame of the machine in a horizontal direction at two different levels, spaced apart from each other by means of rods 65, said levels corresponding to the planes 1? and thehorizontal portions of the planes 19. These rods 60 and (Stare pivotally connected by means of rods 62 and 63. The framework thus termed by the rods GOto 63 is collapsible, and may he folded up along the side of the framework of the flying machine, as is partially indicated by the dotted lines in Fig, 5, Secured to these collapsible frameworks, there are provided a plurality of supporting, planes 64, which are secured to the cross rods at-the difierent levels, and

are curved and formed in such a mannerthat they will nest one within the other when the collapsible frameworks are folded the machine.

. In order to extend and fold up the collapsible frames, supporting the planes 64:, there are provided flexible connections 66 and 67, which are secured to the outer cor-' ner upright rods and cross each other, and extend over suitable pulleys 68 and 69, to opposite sides ofa double drum 7 0. This drum may be rotated. in either directionloy rdly from each side of the i any suitable means, such as a-pawl-carrying lever '71 operating' ratchet wheel 72 secured to the drum in any well known man nest Thus by rotating the drum 70 in one direction, ropes '67 will be drawn in, collapsing the fol "'ole frames up against the sides of the n -line, the ropes 66 paying out at same time, to allow for the travel of the opposite portion of the collapsible frames. in order to unfold the collapsihle frames, the drum 70 is rotated in the opposite direction, drawing in the ropes 66 and paying out the ropes 6'3.

In order to control the direction of the flying machine, there is provided a suitable rudder 73, which is pivotally secured on a hollow bracket 74 extending from the rear o-fthe body 7. Extending through the hollow bracket 74, and pivotally connected to the rudder 73 at one end by means of a link 75, and pivotally connected at the other end to a pivoted lever 76, there is provided a connecting rod 77. By this means, the rudder 73 can be controlled from the hand lever 76, to direct the travel of the flying machine. The various parts of the machine are tied together, for additional strength, by means of suitable diagonally arranged tie wires 78, which may be of anj suitable high tensile material, such as piano wire.

The operation of the device will be readily understood from the above description.

If the machine is on land, it may be started by rotating both the propelling wheels 8 and the propellers 21, 22, Q3, 44 and 45 until sutlicient momentum has been attained tolift the machine from the ground. hen once in flight, the equilibrium and direction of travel of the machine maybe controlled by the plane 54 and the rudder 73. If the machine is not carrying many passengers or other weight, the

auxiliary planes G t and the frames sup-' porting them, may be folded up along the sides of the machine by drawing in on the ropes 67 by means of the drum 70. In case the machine acquires a number of passengers or other weight during its flight from place to place, additional support may be obtained by extending the supporting planes 64 into their outermost and operative position, by means of the drum 70 and the ropes 6G.

If it is desired to alight on a body of water, this can be readily done because of the fact that the body of the machine coir sistsof a boat, and further, because of the side floats 10, which will prevent the machine from tilting and tipping the supporting planes beneath the surface of the water. lVhen it is desired to rise from the water. the propeller wheels 8 may be rotated rapidly, at the same time rotating the propellers 21, 21-. 23,44 and 45. thereby causing the paddles D'to exert a liftingaml forward propelling force on the water, which is added to the propelling force of the air propellers. The aeroplane will thus rise from the Water in a ready and stable manner.

The arrangement of the curved planes if) and the oppositely rotating alternating; propellers 21 to 23, all tend to form a stable machine, which will automatically balance itself during its flight in the air. This is aided by the contour of the planes 17 and the opening 18 provided at their junction. The provision of the propellers 21, 22 and 23 with successively increasing numbers of blades, provides a propelling force, which will be steady in its operation, and will eliminate all shocks and jars due to the propelling force.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a flying machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of supporting planes on said frame, substantially rigid auxiliary planes connected to said frame and adapted to 'nest oiie within the other, andmeans for nesting said auxiliary planes together.

2. In a flying machine, the combination with a frameof supporting planes on said frame, auxiliary collapsible frames connected to said frame, substantially rigid supporting planes on said auxiliary frames, and means for collapsing said frames.

3. In a flying machine, the combination with a frame, of supporting planes on said frame, auxiliary collapsible frames connect'ed to said -'frame, substantially rigid supporting planes on sitidauxiliary frames, means for collapsing said auxiliary frames, and means for "extending said auxiliary frames.

4. In a flying machine, the combination with a frame, of supporting planes on said frame, auxiliary frames pivotally connected to said frame, rigid planes on said auxiliary frames, adapted to nest.- one within the other, and means for folding said auxiliary frames along the sides of said frame.

5. In a flying machine, the combination 130 with a frame, of supporting planes on said frame, auxiliary frames pivotally connected to said frame and comprising a plurality ofvertical transrerse and longitudinal rods curved supporting planes connected to said auxiliary .frames and adapted to nest one within the other,- and means for folding and extending said auxiliary frames.

(3. in a flying machine, the combination with a body portion. of oppositely arranged planes inclined npwardlnand inwardly and meeting at the center of the maclnne, the said planes being provided with an opening at their meeting point and propellingmeans arranged above the said planes, whereby a stcadying current of air isdrawn up through vsaid opening.

- 7. In a flying machine, the combination with a body portion, of a pair of supporting 12 planes converging upwardly toward each other and having an opening between them, a plurality of. propellers rotatably sup; ported above said planes. a plurality of supporting planes superposed and arching around said propellers, means for operating said propellers, a rudder connected to said body portion, and means for operating said rudder 8. 1n a flying machine, the combination 136 pivotally connected together, a. plurality of mounted, said wheels having pad '40 with a body portion, of a pair of planes con-' verging upwardly toward each other and having an opening between them, a series of propellers arranged above each plane of the pair of planes, planes arching around the propellers, and means for rotating alternate propellers of each series in the same direction.

9. In a flying machine, the combination with a body portion, ofa pair of planes converging upwardly toward each other and having an opening between them, a series of propellers arranged above each plane of the pair of planes, each successive propeller having a greater number of bladesthan the next preceding one, planes arching around the propellers, and means for operating the propellers. I v

10. In a flying machine, the combination with a body portion, of a pair of planes converging upwardly toward each other, a series of propellers arranged above each plane of the pair of planes, each successive propeller having a greater number of blades than the next preceding one, [planes arching around the propellers, and means for rotating alternate propellers of each series in the same direction.

11. Ina flying machine, a body portion, planes extending outwardly from the sides of the body portion, floats at the outer portions of the planes, a supporting frame above the body portion, planes in said frame, and propellers mounted in the frame on each side of the longitudinal center of the body portion and overthe planes thereof.

12. In a flying machine, a body portion, wheels upon which the body portion is d es, planes extending outwardly from the sides of the body portion beyond the said Wheels, floats at the outerportions of the planes, and propellers mounted above the body portion on each side of the longitudinal centerof said body portion and over the planesthereof.

13. In a flying machine, a body portion,

wheels upon which the body portion is mounted, said wheels having paddles, planes extending outwardly and downwardly from the sides of the body portion beyond the 1 said wheels, floats'at the outer portions of the planes, propellers mounted above the body port' on on each side of the longitudinal center of said body portion and, over the planes thereof, a motor in the body portion, means for operating the propellers from the motor, and means for operating the wheels from said motor.

14. In a flying machine, a bodyportion, planes secured to and extending outwardly from the body portion, an upright framecarried by the body portion and planes, a pair of planes inthe frame and converging zontal planes,

toward each other, propellers mounted in the frame above the planes thereof, and on each side of the longitudinal center of the body portion, and curved planes extending partly around. the propellers, said planes merging into each other and extending down to the apex of the first-named planes of the frame. l5.- In a flying machine, a body portionin the form of a boat planes extending out-' wa'rdly from the sides of the body portion, an upright frame carried by the body portion and the outer portions of said planes, planes carried by the frame above the first planes and parallel therewith, curved lanes in the upper part of the frame, an propellers mounted in the upper part .of the framefadjacent to the curved planes and on each side of the longitudinal center of said frame.

- 16. In a flyin machine, a bodyportion'in the form of 3%)0313, planes extending outwardly from the sides of the bod an upright frame carried by the body portion and the outer portions of said planes, a plurality of planes within the frame and above the first named planes, planes-pivoted to the upper portions of the sides of the frame to fold against the same, and propellersmounted in the upper part of the frame on each side of its longitudinal center.

17. In a flying machine, the'combination with a frame, of a plurahty of supportigg planes fixed to said frame a parallel-1i frame hinged on each side of said frame, and a plurality ofsupporting planesmounted on each parallel link frame in different horisaid planes being adaptedto nest one Within the other when said parallellink frames are folded alongside of said firstqnentioned frames,- so" as to vary .the effective supporting area of said flying machine.

18. A flying machine comprising a body portion in the form of a boat and mounted on wheels'having' addles, planes extending outwardly from t e sides of "the body portion and having floats at their outer edges, a plurality of planes within the frame, planes pivoted tov the sides of the frame to fold against the same, propellers mounted in the -frame on each side of its longitudinal center, propellers at the rear of the frame, amotor llo in the body portion, means for operating the propellers from'the motor,- and means for operating the wheels from the motor. v

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specifi' tion in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

naiirn MASON MnroALr.

' Witnesses: ROYCOLTON, ,5 CH1}? E. SIE'ALDING.

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